Assumption One: The purpose of a just political system in the Western world is not to realize deep oral values. It is to maximize economic utility and political stability with Kantian ethical restraints.
Corollary One: The paradox. Activists are usually motivated by a desire to realize a deep moral value. All political movements that seek to attain a deep moral ideal lead to increased material suffering. Activists thus do not understand their own history.

Assumption Two: The primary goal of Western political philosophy has been to create a system which makes it possible for “all the parts” of society to function well; to “do their part”. The function of the system is not to let ‘the individual get rich or be free or to realize a deep moral value.

Assumption Three: Political movements that are based on a desire to achieve a particular moral value considered deeply meaningful always lead to a decline in the material well being of the average citizen. The two examples of this in the 20th century are Marxism (value: equality) and libertarianism in the US: (value: liberty).

Assumption Four: Successfully making a system which accomplishes (1) and (2) requires that we can PREDICT human behavior reasonably well from a macro perspective. There is not an “essential” human quality apart from observed behavior.

Assumption Five: The best way to predict behavior at a macro level is to have knowledge of what motivates most people most of the time. What motivates people most of the time is not to “be a good person” but to “maximize my economic well being in absolute and relative terms.”

Assumption Six: All men are created equal, but not in the way the public assumes. For politics, we are to assume that “all men” have a particular motive in common. All men are not equal as in “having the right to the same material benefits”. They are equal in having a particular motive in common. The motive is the desire to get basic needs met.

Assumption Seven: Prediction does not require that all cases conform to the prediction, but only the majority.

Assumption Eight: All successful political and social systems are based on two prongs: Description AND prescription. The public activist starts with neutral observation to determine what is the case. He then seeks to make policy in light of a desired good. We are not neutral towards the good and the bad, and we are not supposed to be neutral towards it.

Assumption Nine: There are “four types” that make up modern society. All but three function just as they do not as they ought, while one seeks to act in light of an ideal or an ought. The founder of states must have an intentionality to fill their role well.

Assumption Ten: The primary struggle in the history of humanity is between the strong man and the political philosopher. “Freedom” vs “tyranny” is based in “democratic government” vs. “the strong”. It is not reflected in “the individual” vs “the government” as is the common opinion.

Assumption Eleven: There is a deep tension between seeking to be a ‘good citizen’ and being a ‘good man’.

Assumption Twelve: Contrary to the common opinion, Plato did not seriously envision a philosopher-king. Plato envisioned philosopher types functioning to influence the writing of basic law, or Constitutions from “behind the scenes”.
Corrolary Twelve: The MOVEMENT in the Allegory of the Cave from inside to outside the cave as a metaphor for the historical and normative movement of Western PHILOSOPHERS. The movement from outside the cave to inside the cave as the normative movement of Western political-economies.

One Response to “Part I: A Retrospective Interpretation of the American System: Justice as Maximizing Utility for “All Men” Bounded by Kantian Ethical Restraints”

Hi, T:
Good to see you at work. Your writing is crystal clear, laconic and well conceptualized.
Glad you continue your contributions as a philosopher in action.
I doubt if return to the Platonic Cave can re-civilze Americans. Wait for my autobiography:

Terence Hoyt earned an MA in Economics from Fordham University in 1984, and a PhD in Philosophy fromTulane University in 2000. Between 1993 and 2012, I lived in New Orleans. Earlier on, I lived in Paris and Berlin for one year each. In 2012, after teaching philosophy for 15 years I returned to school to earn an MSW and then returned to upstate New York where I grew up.
My hope is for this site to increase understanding of the American political-economic system. I believe that the brighest among us do not adequately understand or appreciate American civilization. Too many among us take "the system" for granted, focus on a particular "cause" and then ignore what would keep our political-economy running well. I take the position that this problem needs to be viewed as a crisis of philosophy. It was good political philosophy that was responsible for our system and it is dysfunctional political philosophy that influences many activists to take stances undermine our economic as well as moral-spiritual well being. As of January 2017, we are in a crisis involving an unholy alliance between philosophical extremism and the usual suspects: the few who would manipulate the many to gain more wealth, power and privilege. With Plato, I believe that unless sober philosopher-types get involved in the daily affairs of public life, there will be no end to troubles. It is time for public intellectuals as well as academics in the humanities and social sciences to go back to the cave!

Seeking financial assistance for book editor

I am currently in the process of completing a book on the American political project I have been working on for six years. This book will be the culmination of years of studying, researching and thinking about what has made the America system so successful in enabling citizens to live peaceful and prosperous lives. The key to understanding this success is simple: harnessing the natural motives of four types of human beings. My goal is to educate public intellectuals, educators, and activists. I am asking for help paying for an editor for this book. I estimate the cost to be around $5,000. You can donate with the Pay Pal button below. If you would like to talk with me personally, please email me at "terencehoyt@gmail.com". I have posted the first sections of the book on the "Book Project" tab.